orce? Charmed, I'm sure. But you misconceive me: I
return, at once, and my friend remains behind to answer for me.

BRIGADIER. Justice is insensible to friendship. I shall deal with you in
due time. Dumont, that bottle.

MACAIRE. Sir, my friend and I, who are students of character, would
grasp the opportunity to share and--may one add?--to pay the bottle.
Dumont, three!

BERTRAND. For God's sake! (_Enter ALINE and MAIDS._)

MACAIRE. My friend is an author: so, in a humbler way, am I. Your
knowledge of the criminal classes naturally tempts one to pursue so
interesting an acquaintance.

BRIGADIER. Justice is impartial. Gentlemen, your health.

MACAIRE. Will not these brave fellows join us?

BRIGADIER. They are on duty; but what matters?

MACAIRE. My dear sir, what is duty? duty is my eye.

BRIGADIER (_solemnly_). And Betty Martin. (_GENDARMES sit at table._)

MACAIRE (_to BERTRAND_). Dear friend, sit down.

BERTRAND (_sitting down_). O Lord!

BRIGADIER (_to MACAIRE_). You seem to be a gentleman of considerable
intelligence.

MACAIRE. I fear, sir, you flatter. One has lived, one has loved, and one
remembers: that is all. One's "Lives of Celebrated Criminals" has met
with a certain success, and one is ever in quest of fresh material.

DUMONT. By the way, a singular thing about my patent key.

BRIGADIER. This gentleman is speaking.

MACAIRE. Excellent Dumont! he means no harm. This Macaire is not
personally known to you?

BRIGADIER. Are you connected with justice?

MACAIRE. Ah, sir, justice is a point above a poor author.

BRIGADIER (_with glass_). Justice is the very devil.

MACAIRE. My dear sir, my friend and I, I regret to say, have an
appointment in Lyons, or I could spend my life in this society. Charge
your glasses: one hour to madness and to joy! What is to-morrow? the
enemy of to-day. Wine? the bath of life. One moment: I find I have
forgotten my watch. (_He makes for the door._)

BRIGADIER. Halt!

MACAIRE. Sir, what is this jest?

BRIGADIER. Sentry at the door. Your passports.

MACAIRE. My good man, with all the pleasure in life. (_Gives papers. The
BRIGADIER puts on spectacles and examines them._)

BERTRAND (_rising and passing round to MACAIRE'S other side_). It's life
and death: they must soon find it.

MACAIRE (_aside_). Don't I know? My heart's like fire in my body.

BRIGADIER. Your name is?

MACAIRE. It is; one's name is not unknown.

BRIGADIER. Justice exacts your name.